Michael Murphy has officially announced his retirement from the inter-county scene and will go down as one of the best of his generation.
The 2012 All-Ireland winning captain played against Armagh 11 times throughout his career, starting and finishing in defeat.
But in between times, Murphy was usually the architect of Armagh’s downfall when they faced Donegal.
Throughout those 11 appearances Murphy made against the Orchard County, he led Donegal to victory on eight occasions. He also scored ever time he played against Armagh.
Murphy’s first two games against Armagh, both in 2010, ended in defeat. The Orchard won the league and championship meetings between the pair.
In the league, goals from Steven McDonnell and Finnian Moriarty eased Armagh to a 2-16 to 0-6 victory.
In the championship, that famous meeting in Crossmaglen, a brace of goals from Jamie Clarke saw Armagh win 2-14 to 0-11. Murphy hit 0-9 across both games.
2014 trilogy
It was 2014 until the sides met once again. That year they crossed paths three times, in the McKenna Cup, league and championship.
On all three occasions Donegal emerged victorious. Murphy netted twice in the league meeting to help Donegal to a 2-10 to 1-8.
In the championship, at the All-Ireland quarter final stage, Murphy landed 0-5 as Donegal edged a 1-12 to 1-11 win in Croke Park.
The sides met in the opening round of the 2015 championship. A Michael Murphy inspired Donegal won handsomely in the end, 2-11 to 0-8, in Kieran McGeeney’s first championship game as Armagh manager.
The big full forward gave another exhibition against Armagh in the 2019 league meeting in the horrible conditions at Ballybofey.
The Glenswilly giant was introduced as a first half sub. He finished with 1-2 to his name as Donegal notched another victory over their Ulster rivals.
In 2020, at an empty Breffni Park, Donegal trounced Armagh 1-22 to 0-13, with Murphy having a quiet enough evening. Aidan Forker holding the Donegal captain to 0-2.
In 2022, Murphy lined out against Armagh three times. Once in the league, the final round, and twice in the championship.
In the league meeting, Murphy kicked 0-4 as Donegal edged through by a point, weeks before the first round of the Ulster Championship.
This time in Ballybofey, Donegal once again held the upper hand. Murphy struck 0-6 in their 1-16 to 0-12 win.
His final outing in a Donegal shirt came against Armagh in Clones and the Orchard County final got some revenge for all the heartache Donegal provided over the years.
Murphy still top scored for Donegal with 0-6, but goals from Rory Grugan, Rian O’Neill and Stephen Sheridan paved the way to a 3-17 to 0-16 win.
Murphy will certainly go down as one of the greatest players ever and he tormented Armagh plenty of times down through the years.
